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Beautiful Edmonds ferry crossing makes it memorable

White Horse Golf Course in Kingston, Wash., minutes from the ferry dock, is a top five public golf course that almost never was.

It was originally plotted out by Bainbridge Island businessman Bob Screen in the early 1990s. However, it took 15 years of environmental battles to finally open in June 2007. By then, the owners did not have the means or energy to sustain or promote the course.

Port Madison Enterprises, the business arm of the Suquamish Tribe, took over in 2010, investing millions and is a key amenity for guests of its Clearwater Casino and hotel.

The original historic design by Cynthia Dye, which cut through the lush virgin forests, was praised by experts but amateur golfers found the course was a bit too difficult.

The intrinsic value of the course was not revealed, however, until 2012-13 when the late John Harbottle’s redesign softened the layout — removing 200 trees, more than half the bunkers and added new tees for all players.

Golfers loved the layout, as did the USGA, which twice held the Women’s Senior Championships there. The Covid crisis, beginning in 2020, rocked the world. After months of shutdowns and isolation, golf courses were among the first to tentatively re-open because it was considered a safe outdoor endeavor.

“2021 was our busiest year, then last year was our second busiest year. It’s nice to see that come around,” said Bruce Christy, who has been the course’s general manager and head golf professional since the Suquamish Tribe’s initial investment. “It takes time since the pandemic, when you go from 6,000 (rounds) to zero, then have to build it back up again. We’ve made a lot of progress in the past couple years.”

He added that “we’ve come a long way since 2007 as far as being user friendly. The course gets better and better every year.” The course will open a new short game area in May, along with water features on 18, and new EV charging stations.

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White Horse Golf Club

22795 Three Lions Pl. NE • Kingston, WA 98346 

(360) 297-4468 • whitehorsegolf.com

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A Bucket with GM • Bruce Christy

Toughest Tee Shot 18th hole

Hole No. 18 (par 4, 435 yards). Water left, bunker right, and you always get an undulating lie no matter where the ball lands in the fairway. It’s the finishing hole so there always may be something on the line, like a beer or lunch. Plus, you have people sitting on the deck, so you have a gallery. That adds a little pressure.

Best Birdie Opportunity 7th hole

Hole No. 7 (par 4, 441 yards). It’s risk vs. reward off the tee. That was the one that had the gully with the beaver pond between the tee and the fairway. Now the tee is on the other side of the gully. So, it’s a shorter hole. That one might be one of the easier ones to birdie. However, none of themof them are easy.

Best Par 3 — 4th hole

The hardest without a doubt is hole No. 4 (216 yards). You feel that if you make a par there, you’ve stolen a shot from the rest of the field. Hands down, it’s the hardest par 3.

Favorite Hole 10th hole

I like No. 10 (par 4, 401 yards). White Horse is a second shot golf course. That means your first shot must be in play. There’s a premium on accuracy. You have to hit two good golf shots. It’s not everybody’s favorite. We took a number of trees down behind it to open the green up for more sunlight the last couple years. That has really made a difference. That green has improved dramatically.

Emergency Nine front or back?

The back nine because it’s a little more aesthetic and there’s a wide variety of holes, plus more undulation. It was the original nine that opened roughly a year and a half before the full golf course opened. The back nine is more mature, the greens are 100 percent poa annua, and are spectacular to putt on now.

Go-To Lunch Item at Cedar Ridge Grill

Steak salad with the garlic parm fries. That’s everybody’s favorite.

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